Joe Calzaghe owes it to Andre Ward to come out of retirement and back up his claims that he would be too fast and too strong for the super middleweight champion, according to the American's team.

Ward's manager James Prince and trainer Virgil Hunter were offended by comments made by the Welshman in the wake of the WBC-WBA champion's defeat of Carl Froch in December.

"I think the way Ward fights would have suited me to be honest. I would have had too much speed and power for him. So, yes, I would have beaten him," Calzaghe said.

The 40-year-old, who retired undefeated after 46 bouts, winning 32 by knockout, is considered the greatest super-middleweight of all time after holding all belts in the division during his career, but has not stepped into the ring since defeating Roy Jones Jr in 2008.

"A couple of months back, Joe Calzaghe made the comment that he would have beaten Andre Ward after Andre defeated Carl Froch in the Super Six," Hunter told boxingscene.com.

"We've given Joe the proper respect and acknowledged his legacy for his accomplishments, but if you are going to be minimising Andre on where he is as a fighter - to make that comment when you are in retirement and sitting somewhere safely in England - if you are going to make that comment, then as a fighter you should come out of retirement and back that comment up."

Such is Ward's enthusiasm for the fight that the American's team believe they would be prepared to travel to face Calzaghe in the UK.

"If there was one fight that I could make for Andre, it would be against Calzaghe," Prince added. "I would love to make that fight."